Parents/carers experiences of their child having vulvovaginitis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are parents/carers experiences of their child having vulvovaginitis?
IRAS ID
172863
Contact name
Jacqueline McKenna
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Vulvovaginitis is the most common gynaecological complaint in pre pubertal girls throughout the world (Jasper, 2009). The age of girls presenting in clinical practice varies, from two up to eleven but the vast majority of girls seen are under seven years of age. There are no effective medical treatments for the condition and it is best managed by strict daily hygiene routines. Many girls fail to follow the recommended hygiene advice and evidence suggests that if these are not followed the incidence of re-occurrence and antibiotic administration increase (Tartaglia et al 2013). It is not known what influences family’s choices to follow, or what difficulties they encounter in adhering to, health professionals’ advice. The aim of this study is to explore and examine the experiences of parents/carers of their child’s diagnosis and treatment for vulvovaginitis. Parents/carers will be approached to participate within three departments from two children’s hospitals from the North West of England. Data will be collected using one-to-one semi structured interviews with twenty to twenty-five parents/carers. Parents/carers will be interviewed on one occasion. The parents/carers invitation letter, parent information leaflet and interview schedule has been peer reviewed by parents/carers who provided feedback on the content and the framing of sensitive questions.
Data analysis will be informed by a qualitative thematic analysis. The results of this study will be disseminated nationally and internationally via conference presentation(s) and publication(s) in peer reviewed journal(s). Greater understanding of parents/carers experiences of their child having vulvovaginitis will hopefully directly inform health care professionals’ practice.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0516
Date of REC Opinion
25 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion